I’m entitled to free mansion, claims sponging mother

A JOBLESS mother-of-11 went on television yesterday and defended her lifestyle on benefits saying: “I’m not getting anything I’m not entitled to.” Heather Frost, 37, sparked outrage after it was revealed her local council agreed to build a £400,000 six-bedroom home for her.

Heather Frost appeared on ITV’s Daybreak show to be quizzed about her lifestyle on benefits

And she was accused of taking taxpayers for a ride over claims she was pocketing enough benefits to keep a horse. There was fresh anger yesterday after Frost said she did not “put a gun to somebody’s head” to demand money – and was simply taking what was on offer.

She did not want two of the children’s three fathers to contribute to her finances and was happy instead to accept the help that “is out there”. Quizzed on ITV’s Daybreak, she said: “I would love to go out and work. I took a business plan two years ago to try to open a shop and do my own business but then I fell ill. I would love to come off benefits and support my children myself but then there is help out there.

“I’m not getting anything I’m not entitled to. I understand people’s resentment, but I didn’t beg or go and put a gun to somebody’s head to get any help.”

I’m not getting anything I’m not entitled to. I understand people’s resentment, but I didn’t beg or go and put a gun to somebody’s head to get any help.

Heather Frost

It is also home to her partner Jake, father of six of the youngsters, and two grandchildren. Frost’s local council has arranged for a 1,855 sq ft home to be built on a new housing development in nearby Tewkesbury, due for completion in June.

Frost denied saying she would want a bigger property if the new house was not up to scratch but said she may turn down the offer. She said: “With the hassle I’m getting at the moment it is 50-50 as to whether I take it.”

Yesterday critics said the case highlighted Britain’s broken benefits system. Tory MP Peter Bone said: “If you’re going to have so many children you should be in a position to look after them and not expect the state to do it. “There must be something wrong with a system that allows that to happen.”

Matthew Sinclair, of the Tax- Payers’ Alliance, said: “Heather Frost is right to point out that it is our broken benefits system that handed her a home that many people couldn’t afford themselves.”

Angel appeared on the programme to deny claims taxpayers were footing the bill to keep their horse at an estimated cost of £200 a month.

She said: “The horse is mine, I got given it from a friend around the corner. I pay for it, I pay its rent, I pay vet bills, I pay food.”